Three dead, after lighting strikes mourners in Kisii

Kisii, Kenya: Three people among two women died on Monday evening in a lightning strike at Mochorwa village, Bomachoge Chache Kisii County.

The three deceased persons identified as Machuka Maenya, Bosibori Obwoge and Josephine Akunga were among relatives and mourners who had escorted the body of their relative from a morgue in Kisii Town to his home in Mochorwa village.

The causalities were forced to seek shelter in houses within the compound of their deceased relative.

Kenyenya OCPD Leonard Baini who confirmed the incident said two of the victims died on the spot while the third died on the way to hospital.

Kenyenya Sub County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga called on residents to be extra careful as El Nino rains sets in.

"Our people must be told not to shelter under trees, or any other shade when it is raining. Let us all be in our houses whenever it is raining," said Mwachaunga.

Three other victims were undergoing treatment at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Dr Enock Ondari said that they received three victims on Monday evening with burns but noted that they were all stable.

"One patient had almost 10 percent burns while two others had about 20 to 30 percent but they are all in a stable conditions and we will keep on monitoring their recovery," said Dr Ondari.

Kisii County Governor James Ongwae in a message through the communication department said his Government will support the affected families and meet the medical expenses of the one in hospital.

"As a County Government, we have put in place measures to ensure disaster preparedness particularly in light of the impending heavy rains popularly known as El Nino," said Governor Ongwae.

He added: "The weatherman has warned that we are likely to receive above normal amounts of rainfall starting this month. We have mapped out areas that are at risk of being affected by landslides during these heavy rains. We have embarked on a media campaign to sensitize our people on mitigation measures and precautions to be taken in order to avoid disaster."

Kisii County Director for Disaster Management Julius Tinega said that they anticipate such incidents with the onset of El Nino rains but promised that lightning arrestors were being installed in high risk areas.

Kisii County Government has set aside Sh30million to help deal with emergencies that may arise during this season.